Deontay Leshun Wilder, nicknamed ‘The Bronze Bomber,’ is an American professional boxer known for his exceptional punching and knockout power. Wilder held the WBC heavyweight title from 2015 until 2020. He boasts an astonishing KO percentage of 97.67%, the highest in the history of heavyweight boxing. Wilder has earned the Premier Boxing Champions Knockout of the Year award on three occasions (2016, 2017, and 2019) and also secured the Ring magazine Knockout of the Year accolade in 2019.
Wilder entered the boxing scene relatively late compared to his colleagues, beginning his career after turning 20. In his amateur career, Wilder secured a bronze medal in the heavyweight division at the 2008 Olympics. At 23 years old, on November 15, 2008, Wilder commenced his professional boxing career at the Vanderbilt University Memorial Gymnasium in Nashville, Tennessee. His debut fight was against Ethan Cox (2–2-1), and he secured a victory with a second-round TKO by knocking Cox down three times.
Deontay Wilder holds a professional boxing record of 43 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw (43-2-1), with his only losses coming against Tyson Fury. He is now gearing up to square off against Joseph Parker in the co-main event of the ‘Day of Reckoning’ boxing event on December 23, 2023, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Deontay Wilder Height
Deontay ‘The Bronze Bomber’ Wilder is 6 feet 7 inches (201 cm) tall. On average, heavyweight boxers are often around 6 feet 3 inches to 6 feet 6 inches tall (approximately 190 cm to 198 cm), which makes Wilder’s height slightly above the average. Wilder’s tall stature is advantageous for him in the squared circle, as he can utilize his height and reach to close the distance with his opponents.
Deontay Wilder Age
Deontay Wilder is 38 years old as of December 2023. He was born on October 22, 1985, in the Tuscaloosa region of Alabama, U.S. ‘The Bronze Bomber’ had a late start in boxing as he began training at the age of 20. In October 2005, Deontay Wilder commenced his boxing journey by joining Skyy Boxing Gym in Northport, Alabama, under the tutelage of Jay Deas.
Deontay Wilder Amateur Career
Wilder achieved great success as an amateur boxer in the National Golden Gloves and the US championships at 201 pounds (91 kg). At the Golden Gloves, he defeated favorites Isiah Thomas and David Thompson in the finals. In the U.S. championships, he won the final against James Zimmerman.
Wilder secured victories over Quantis Graves during the Olympic trials, earning him a spot in the Olympics. In early 2008, he defeated Rakhim Chakhiyev and qualified for the Olympics by overcoming Deivis Julio, Jorge Quinones, and Rafael Lima. However, in a Russia-USA dual match, Wilder was knocked out by Evgenyi Romanov.
Wilder competed as a heavyweight in the 2008 Olympics, earning a bronze medal after defeating Abdelaziz Touilbini and Mohamed Arjaoui but losing to Clemente Russo in the semi-final. He is said to have concluded his amateur career with a record of 30 wins and 5 losses (30-5-0).
FAQs
A. Deontay Wilder is 6 feet 7 inches or 201 cm tall.
A. Deontay Wilder is widely regarded as the hardest puncher in heavyweight boxing history.
A. Deontay Wilder has a reach of 83 inches or 211 cm.
A. Deontay Wilder held the WBC heavyweight title before losing it to Tyson Fury.
A. Deontay Wilder has suffered defeats in his professional boxing career only at the hands of Tyson Fury on two occasions.
